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If there's one day that holds significance for Kiwis on the annual fundraising calendar each year, it's Red Nose Day.

Dating back to 1989, Red Nose Day is Cure Kids' flagship fundraiser which has seen New Zealanders join forces over the years to raise funds for vital child health research. Red Nose Day has grown to become one of our country's most recognised appeals, symbolised by red noses and made popular with its catchy theme song 'You make the whole world smile'. Children of the 80s and 90s will probably hold fond memories of the annual fundraiser, and the fun that went along with it.

Last year, the Red Nose Day appeal raised over $1 million thanks to the generosity of Kiwis. Red Nose Day is back on Friday 28 September and it is set to be another big one with the aim to raise another $1 million for child health research.

Many of us know someone or we may have been personally affected by serious illnesses and conditions that affect our children. From stillbirth, cystic fibrosis, child cancers, obesity, autism spectrum disorders, asthma, and inherited heart conditions to mental health, infectious diseases, epilepsy and type 1 diabetes, to name a few.

That's why Cure Kids is committed to making a difference by supporting researchers, medical experts and scientists in the field of child health – and over the years many breakthroughs have been achieved.

The Red Nose Appeal runs throughout the month of September, allowing New Zealanders plenty of time to join the fun and show their support in the build-up to the big day itself, Red Nose Day.

"Red Nose Day holds a special place in the hearts of many Kiwis and we're forever grateful for the generosity of those who support our iconic appeal," says Cure Kids CEO Frances Benge.

"This year we're planning to make the Red Nose Appeal one of the biggest yet to help fund high impact medical research by experts committed to actively finding cures and better treatments for serious childhood conditions."

Cure Kids is New Zealand's largest charitable funder of child health research and has the vision for a healthy childhood for everyone. Since forming 47 years ago, Cure Kids New Zealand has invested over NZ $40 million in vital medical research which has saved, extended and improved the lives of thousands of children in New Zealand and around the world. Cure Kids is currently funding over $10 million in child health research across 60 projects.

To find out more about how to participate and support Red Nose Day this September visit rednoseday.co.nz or curekids.org.nz. You can also make a $3 donation towards Red Nose Day this year by texting 'nose' to 933.